The Numbers
More than 19,000 evictions were carried out in New York City in 2025. The pace in 2026 is not slowing: roughly 5,000 cases had already been filed by April, tracking last year's post-pandemic high. This is happening against a backdrop of stronger tenant protections on paper — Good Cause Eviction, expanded legal aid, and an administration that has made tenant protection a stated priority.
The laws exist. Access to them does not.
Why Half of Tenants Go to Court Alone
Since 2017, New York City has funded the Universal Access to Counsel program — free lawyers for low-income tenants facing eviction in Housing Court. It is one of the most progressive tenant legal aid programs in the country.
The problem is chronic underfunding relative to actual demand. Tenant advocacy groups report that only about half of eligible tenants actually receive an attorney. The other half walk into Housing Court alone — facing a landlord who almost always has legal representation.
The outcome gap is documented: tenants with attorneys are significantly more likely to keep their homes. Tenants without them frequently lose by default, sometimes without fully understanding what they agreed to.
Who Is Most at Risk
The tenants most likely to face eviction without representation are those who:
- received a Notice to Cure or Notice of Termination and did not seek help immediately
- have any rent arrears, even a small amount
- live in market-rate apartments and don't know whether Good Cause Eviction covers them
- received a lease non-renewal without explanation
What To Do Right Now
If you have received any legal document from your landlord — a court petition, a notice, a letter from their attorney — do not ignore it. Deadlines in housing court are strict and missing them can cost you your case.
Call 311 and say "tenant legal services." If your court date is already scheduled, arrive at the Housing Court building early: a help desk is available on the day of hearings. You can also check your building's HPD violation history on Weverit — documented conditions in your unit can strengthen your position in court.
Related: A large share of NYC eviction cases begin in subsidized affordable housing built to keep people stably housed. See Why a Third of NYC Evictions Happen in "Affordable" Housing. For the step-by-step process — the arrears timeline, Right to Counsel, and where the off-ramps are — see our NYC eviction process guide.
Sources: City Limits, May 29, 2026; NYC Housing Court data; NYC Human Resources Administration, Office of Civil Justice. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
